Travel group TUI is establishing itself for the first time in the Japanese market with the hotel TUI Suneo Otaru, which is expected to open in 2029. The expansion is a strategic milestone for the company's growth in Asia and responds to increasing demand for travel experiences in the East.
TUI sets sights on Japan. In a groundbreaking milestone towards global growth, the travel group has signed a hotel management agreement in the country for the first time, introducing its holiday hotel brands to the Japanese market. The new TUI Suneo Otaru, scheduled to open in 2029, will bring TUI’s classic holiday experiences to one of Asia’s most sought-after destinations.
“TUI Hotels & Resorts’ entry into Japan underlines our long-term commitment to expanding holiday experiences to new destinations and customers, particularly across Asia. We are seeing increased demand for travel to Japan among our tour operators and cruise guests and this expansion in the hotel sector represents a natural development of TUI’s presence in the region,” says Sebastian Ebel, CEO of TUI Group.
“The new addition in Otaru will be TUI Group’s easternmost hotel to date. This signing is just the beginning – we are actively exploring further opportunities to expand our presence in Japan in additional locations and with the launch of more TUI hotel brands,” says Peter Krueger, CEO of TUI Holiday Experiences and member of TUI Group’s Executive Board.
TUI Suneo Otaru is located close to JR Minami Otaru Station and will be easily accessible from Sapporo, just 35 minutes away by train. The hotel is within walking distance of several of Otaru's most famous attractions. These include the Otaru Steam Clock Tower, the lively Sakaimachi shopping street known for its handmade glassware and local sweets, and the Otaru Canal, which is illuminated every evening by historic oil lamps. Otaru is a picturesque port city in northern Japan that combines cultural heritage with year-round appeal. As a gateway for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises expedition cruises, one of TUI's cruise lines, the port sometimes serves as both a departure and welcome point.
TUI Suneo Otaru will have 50 rooms with a focus on modern design. Guests can also expect a welcoming lobby, restaurant, bar and gym. TUI plans to expand the hotel in the future, with more rooms and common areas to meet the demand. The hotel will join TUI's portfolio of over 400 holiday hotels and resorts worldwide. In Asia, the group has established 25 hotels in eight countries, with plans to more than double that number in the coming years. By the end of 2025, TUI will continue to strengthen its presence with new hotel openings planned in Vietnam and China.
According to the press release.
